Beneath The Shadows of Evil... Torn

by Jolynn Raymond

  He stretched again and felt her stir, then nuzzled into his arms, and her movements made his decision. He would hold off on questioning Natalya, at least for the time being. Laying here with Alliana was much too delightful. Perhaps he would even stay until she woke from her nap. It wouldn’t hurt to spend the evening in bed with his wife. No, it wouldn’t hurt anything at all.

  Had Mikhal only known what was taking place right under his nose, he would have been out of his wife’s bed in an instant, and readying himself to slaughter the woman whom he’d loved for almost a century. He would have gone racing from the castle the moment it was dark, in order to put an end to her evil plans that involved the death of his wife and child.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Hannah ran through the woods as twilight took hold of the sky. She was a few minutes early for her meeting with her Mistress, but since the Gypsy Natalya had released her from her duties, claiming fatigue and the need for a nap, Hannah had taken the opportunity to make her way to the cottage where Marishka resided under the relative safety of the fading light.

  Her feet were swift and sure, traveling a path that had become well known to her over the last two months, and she was eager to be in the arms of her true Mistress once more. While it was true that Marishka scared her at times, Hannah had to admit deep in her soul of souls that was part of the attraction. That and the glorious things the true Lady Arcos could do to her body. Marishka’s touch never failed to thrill, and her bite and suckling of her blood always sent delicious sensations roaring through Hannah’s still virginal body. There was nothing like it, and she was as needy of her Mistress’s talents as a man for his tankard to his ale.

  At last the dark form of the cottage loomed ahead. Hannah slowed; straightening her skirts and smoothing her hair, wanting to look her best, and took a few breaths to calm her racing heart. Marishka had told her the last time they’d met that she’d come up with a plan for the demise of the Gypsy whore who had stolen her rightful place in the castle and for the death of the brat she carried as well.

  To say that Hannah was curious was a true statement to be sure; to say that she was frightened by finally acting on all of the hate that had oozed from Marishka towards the new Lady Arcos was an understatement of the largest proportion. It terrified her to know that soon she would be acting the part of a true traitor within the castle walls, not just spying upon those who lived there, but also doing her best to kill them as well. She had managed to evade Lord Arcos so far, but that had been more by luck than by anything else. The Master tended not to visit Natalya’s quarters during the day and he had taken up the hours of his wife so she was safely away and out of sight after preparing Mistress Natalya for her nightly journey to the village. As for when Natalya returned, the Master tended to be nowhere in sight. Hannah did her best to remain in her quarters until summoned to assist her mistress in her preparations for bed.

  She gave a slight knock on the door of the cottage, remembering how Andor had responded the one time she had entered without warning. They had come to an understanding of sorts, he left her alone, and she ignored him. Truth be told, Andor no longer bothered with the girl. Yes he wanted to tear her to pieces bit by bit as he took her in every degrading sexual way possible before tearing her throat out, that hadn’t changed, but he knew now wasn’t the time. The little fool thought she held a place in Marishka’s heart, but what she didn’t know was that no one did. The only place of tenderness in Marishka’s black heart was for herself and Andor knew the shock of being thrown to him to devour would be that much more delicious if the girl went on believing she was safe.

  Oh the look on Hannah’s face would be priceless when his dark princess decided she had no use for the girl any longer and finally gave her to him. He’d stood by her all this time. He’d made sure she was fed and safe. He’d listened to her rant about the fairies and dancing under the sun, he’d done it all, for her, and Andor knew that in time she would reward him with a tasty morsel called Hannah. He simply had to be patient.

  If only Hannah had known the dark thoughts of the vampire who waited in the corner of the lamp lit room, she would have run shrieking back to the castle, but alas, she was oblivious. Secure in the love she thought Marishka held for her. The folly of a young girl wooed and sexually satisfied, completely lied to, yet to be betrayed. She stepped in, looking around, and saw Marishka lying on the bed, lying listlessly. Going to her, Hannah knelt at her side, picking up one limp hand, stroking it, turning worried eyes to Andor when Marishka didn’t speak.

  “Is she ill?”

  “No, not ill, morose. She won’t eat, won’t dance her lovely dances. The voices don’t come and she says she is lost.”

  “But... but you bring her food?”

  “Of course I do you little fool. How dare you suggest I do not properly tend to my Mistress? I told you. She is sad. Look at her. She doesn’t belong here. The castle is her home, her rightful place, not here among the mice that invade these walls. It is cold here, damp, and dark. All of those things should not matter to our kind, but she is special. She needs more. What have you to offer her little girl?”

  “I... I don’t know. There is no real news. Natalya and Master Lucian go to the village every night to tend a woman and the other Mistress, the Gypsy whore, she looks close to giving birth as well though it isn’t nearly time. She said she had a plan. Do you know what it was? Marishka said she had a plan to kill the Gypsy and the babe as well.”

  Just then Hannah felt Marishka squeeze her hand. She looked back at her beloved Mistress and pressed her lips to her cool forehead, whispering her love, stroking her cheek with the other hand.

  “Please, Mistress, you mustn’t be sad. The day of the young Lord’s birth will be upon us soon and I must know what to do. Think of how happy you shall be when the Gypsy whore is dead and you are once more the Lady of the castle. Your fairies will dance and your voices will sing you sweet songs.”

  Marishka opened her eyes; they were cold and dark, but glittering with insanity. She reached out and grasped Hannah’s arm, sliding up the girl’s sleeve to bare her wrist, then vamped out and sank her fangs deep into the girl’s flesh. Hannah jerked, startled at the sudden burning pain, then let her mistress drink, relishing the slight tint of color that touched Marishka’s cheeks as her own hot blood gushed into her Mistress’ mouth.

  When she was becoming light headed and thought she couldn’t take anymore, Marishka stopped, sitting up on one elbow and pulling the girl close, holding the arm she had savaged, licking closed the wound, then licking her bloodied lips, before leaning down and kissing her pet.

  “Such a sweet girl, my beautiful pet. Come darling, and lay with me.” Hannah tried to rise but her head was swimming so Marishka pulled her up, onto the bed, laying her next to her, stroking her head in much the same manner Hannah had been stroking hers just moments ago.

  “So lovely and so loyal. You rest and I shall tell you what you are about to do, angel. I shall tell you what will put an end to all this misery.”

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Just as Marishka began her plan of deception that would lead to chaos and destruction, Mikhal had finally decided he needed to get out of bed. Alliana should be waking from her nap soon, and he imagined she would be ravenous when she did. Their son was a hungry lad and Mikhal wanted to be sure there was plenty of food to be had to satisfy both his wife and child as soon as she woke.

  He unwrapped his arms from around her, the loss of contact sending a pang of deep regret surging through him, and began to ease away from her warmth, but before he could rise, she turned, and caught his hand, smiling mischievously, her lips forming the most kissable of pouts.

  “Are you leaving me, Mikhal?”

  “Never, pigeon. I am yours for life. I was simply seeing to some supper for you and our son.”

  “I have an appetite for other things, My Lord.”

  “I am glad to see that the afterglow of our loving finds you ravenous and not shy, but I feel it is best for y
ou to receive some sustenance.”

  Alliana’s pout increased and she threw back the furs to reveal her naked form, stretching, arching her back, thrusting out her belly and breasts, the twinkle in her eye not to be missed in spite of the fading firelight.

  “Alliana. You do not play fair, wife.”

  “I was not aware it was a game. Come back to bed, Mikhal, I’m cold.”

  Mikhal gave a low growl. It was one born of anger that she would toss off her covers and expose herself to the frigid air, and also one borne of need. His flaccid cock stirred as she wiggled on the bed invitingly, his eyes sparking, his stomach muscles rippling as desire shot through him.

  “Cover yourself, woman. I shall see to the fire and your dinner, and then we shall have all night in bed. As much as I wish to bed you here and now, I must also think of the babe.” Alliana, put off at being rejected, suddenly unsure of her own allure, turned bitter.

  “And yet again I am reminded that he is what is most important to you.”

  Mikhal’s eyes widened, his face becoming thunderous. She couldn’t be serious. Not after what they had just shared. “Alliana, you know that isn’t true. I love you.”

  Fighting back with the only ammunition she had, Alliana flung out the words that she had been longing to speak since the day they’d had their tussle on the tower room stairs. “One cannot love without trust, Mikhal. You don’t trust me enough to share your secret so I refuse to believe your words of devotion.”

  “I told you those were the rantings of an old bitter woman. Her words were lies and of no consequence.”

  “I find it hard to believe that her accusations meant nothing when you remembered exactly what it was I referring to. We have had many spats, Mikhal. Many reasons for me to accuse you of not trusting me, today was an example of that, but instead you speak of the words Enid said right before you killed her. That to me says they were true. What is your secret, Mikhal? What are you hiding?”

  “How can you sit there and accuse me after what we just shared, Alliana? You gave yourself to me, all of yourself.”

  “Yes, I did.” Her eyes were shining with tears now, not from regret, but from frustration and doubt. “I did because I placed my trust in you, Mikhal, but you will not do the same for me.”

  “There is no secret, Alliana!” The words came out as a harsh, angry snarl and she gasped, moving back on the bed away from him, frightened; a small part of her, the girl who had endured countless horrors, not able to stop the cold terror that filled her unbidden. Her lover was once again gone, replaced by the oh so unpredictable man who was her husband.

  He saw her fear, felt it, and damned himself. He wanted to tell her the truth but didn’t know how. It would make her doubt him; make her think he didn’t truly love her. She would shut him out yet again, and tell him his love came from magick, not from his dead heart.

  “Alliana, please, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you. You are simply exasperating at times, wife. I swear there is no secret. Please.” He sat on the bed and reached for her, and Alliana hesitated for a few long agonizing seconds, and then finally moved forward into his arms. She would let him have peace, for now, but she wouldn’t give up. If they were to stay together as man and wife for the rest of her days, and that was truly what she wanted, then he would have to be honest with her.

  Mikhal held her close, kissing her hair, stroking her back, listening to her heart and the rapid beats of his child. It always amazed him how rapid and different those of the babe were to Alliana’s. Hers were steady and strong, only rapid when she was frightened or excited, the child on the other hand, his heart raced, the tiny heart beating almost frantically, with barely a pause between beats. The rhythm pounded hard, soft, hard, soft, hard, soft, constant, reassuring, yet frenzied. It was unlike anything he’d ever heard, and he cherished the sound.

  “Please believe that you mean everything to me, kitten; you, not just our son. You are my very life.”

  Alliana didn’t reply. She had whispered sweet words of commitment while they were making love, and she felt them in her heart, but she wasn’t ready to voice them yet. The last vestiges of the wall of protection she’d built around her heart prevented her from bearing her soul to him completely. Instead she nuzzled into his chest, loving the feel of his strong arms, feeling safe and cherished, and loved.

  Mikhal kissed her fervently, burying his face in the glorious mass of golden hair, holding her tenderly until her breathing changed to a slow steady pace that told him she had drifted off to sleep once more, then he slipped out of bed silently, with the stealth only one of his kind could possess. He knew that he had to make things right between him and Alliana, and to do that; he knew he needed to see Natalya.

  He had to tell the Gypsy woman everything and see if she could reverse the spell he had been cursed with. That way, after a time, he could tell Alliana the truth, and show her that even without the empathy ability, he had been able to love her of his own free will. Yes, that was it, Natalya would help him; she had to.

  Closing the door silently on his sleeping wife, Mikhal made his way down the hall to the room of the woman he hoped would be his salvation, while his sister pulled Natalya’s treasonous maid close and began to tell her of her plan to kill the very woman Mikhal loved above all else and do away with his beloved son as well.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Marishka sat, leaning against the headboard, with her arms around Hannah. The girl was gazing at her mistress dreamily, both from love and from loss of blood. Marishka toyed with her hair, cooing, giving her small touches, loving her, making her feel as if she were the most special pet in all the world. It was important that she have the little fool wrapped around her finger for what was to come next, so the girl wouldn’t balk at her mission. It would be a dangerous one, one in which she might very well be caught, tortured, and killed, so Marishka knew she had to do all that was necessary to make Hannah compliant.

  “Are you listening, pet? This is very important. I need to know that you will do exactly as mummy says.”

  Hannah looked up, doe eyed, in love, and nodded. “Yes, Mistress. I am listening.”

  “Such a good girl. You come here too, Andor. You need to know what I have planned.”

  Andor grimaced but did as he was told and pulled his chair close to the bed. It worried him that Marishka had formed a plan without consulting him. He hoped it wasn’t as a result of her voices. The very same ones told her to dance in the sun, so how could they be relied on to come up with a plan to be rid of the master and mistress of the castle? He listened though, he knew he had to, for though Marishka only spoke of killing the Gypsy whore and her child, Andor fully intended for Mikhal the Merciless himself to meet his demise before all was said and done.

  “I am listening, Mistress. You know I shall always help in any way I am needed.”

  Marishka waved her hand at him, dismissing his groveling words. Andor’s response was a flare of anger. As much as he loved his dark mistress, it filled him with rage that she had no respect for him nor did she seem to value his loyalty, but, as with the other, he let it go. Now wasn’t the time. If Marishka did indeed have a plan to kill those who had usurped their place in the castle, then by all means, he wanted to hear it. Even if she claimed the stars told her, a plan was a plan if it sounded as if it would work.

  Marishka clapped her hands with glee, her eyes sparkling as she looked at her rapt audience. This was how it used to be when they had great parties. She would have everyone tending her and hanging on her arm, listening to every word with baited breath, looking at her as if she were queen, and that was how it was meant to be. True her ‘court’ was a small one now, but still, they were here, and it made her otherwise bleak existence shine if only for a moment.

  “The first thing you will do is dispose of the Gypsy witch. I do not like her.” A pout overcame Marishka’s face and her eyes hardened. “We do not need one who has magick inside the castle. Tis dangerous, and you, my sweet, will get rid of h
er for me tonight.”

  Hannah gasped at her words. Was Marishka serious? How could she expect her to kill Natalya and not be found out?

  “I can tell by your eyes pretty pet that you are frightened, but I promise it will be fine. Mummy is smart. The voices always tell me what to do.” She stroked Hannah’s cheek reassuringly but still, the girl felt anything but.

  “Tsk Tsk, pet. You doubt me? Be careful or you shall make me angry. Just listen. The Gypsy goes to the village each night to tend to a woman there who is with child, yes?”

  “Yes, Mistress.”

  “And you have said this human has to be tended carefully? She is in danger of losing her brat?”

  “Yes, Mistress. Lady Natalya does not say much, but I have heard a thing or two. She goes there to check on her day and night.”

  Marishka’s eyes flashed amber as she hissed in fury. She suddenly grasped Hannah’s slim throat with delicate fingers that were anything but frail. “Do not ever dare to refer to that Gypsy bitch as a Lady in my presence. She is a filthy thing who has dared to take residence in my home.”

  Hannah couldn’t speak, couldn’t apologize or beg forgiveness. Her eyes bulged with terror, filling with a plea for mercy, as Marishka shook her in her rage. Marishka finally released Hannah when the girl’s eyes began to roll back in her head, her shrill, insane laughter filling the air as she pulled Hannah close and covered her face with kisses.

  “Did mummy scare her little pet? You were naughty, naughty and it’s what you deserved. It isn’t wise to make mummy mad, sweet.” Hannah sputtered and coughed, clutching at her throat, eyes tearing as she shook her head. No, it certainly was not wise to anger her Mistress.

  “I...”

  “Hush now and listen. It’s all right, darling.” The manic change in her Mistress’s personality was indeed terrifying, but Hannah did her best to focus on what was being told to her.